The Faithful Shepherdess

"The Faithful Shepherdess" by John Fletcher is a pastoral tragicomedy written around 1608. In this pioneering work, the chaste shepherdess Clorin lives in solitude near her dead lover's grave, healing those wounded by erotic turmoil. When jealousy, deception, and unbridled desire throw various couples into chaos—involving disguises, stabbings, and betrayals—Clorin must use her powers to restore order. Though the initial production failed, the published text became influential for Fletcher's definition of tragicomedy, exploring the darker side of sexuality within a comic framework.

The Faithful Shepherdess, by John Fletcher. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #12222.